I’m considering a new frame for next year and so far have these as options; Ibis Ripley, pivot mach 429 and Santa cruz Tallboy 2. Anything else that should be on my list? Must be available as frame only, ,head tube, 100-120 travel and will be staying on 29er, partly as I already have wheels and forks.

Orange Gyro – I loves mine

ive just bought a carbon titus rockstar from On One, A bit different, 3rd of the cost compared to a ripley, im hoping its going to a good choice

andHumdinger is selling a very nice 29er if you do a search on STW

Superlight?

Anthem

Salsa spearfish.

Turner Czar.
Just hand a demo on one – contact Silverfish. The demo bike was set-up with Enve rims on I9 hubs, XX1 groupset – was a superb ride.

Scalpel

Tallboy is immense

Try the Orbea Occam X if you can. I just had another fantastic day on one annoying my mates up and down the hills 🙂

Some interesting options there. My original post should of said tapered head tube by the way. Ideally the frame should also be suited to a 120 fork (as that’s what I already have).

Pyga 110 29 is designed around 120-130mm fork

Occam x is tapered and 120mm out front and 100mm out back. They are basque but I’m not linked in any way!

Blimey when did a 29er with 120mm forks start to be considered as short travel?

Ramsey Neil – Member
Blimey when did a 29er with 120mm forks start to be considered as short travel?

Pivot 429 Carbon is an awesome bike, i thought it rode better than the Tallboy and I don’t like the look for the Ripley. X01 on the 429 Carbon and some decent wheels and you have an amazing bike that is so versatile there isn’t much you can’t do with it.

Horsethief. Some bargains on last years model.

2014 Horsethief would be on my list, that said there are some bargain deals on last years version, for complete bikes, that are cheaper

Pivot 429 Carbon is an awesome bike, i thought it rode better than the Tallboy and I don’t like the look for the Ripley. X01 on the 429 Carbon and some decent wheels and you have an amazing bike that is so versatile there isn’t much you can’t do with it.

Three posts, all of them about how great a pivot 429 is…on ancient threads.. You on a back hander?

Good comparison between the Tallboy C, 429 and the Czar here:

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/three-blinged-out-carbon-29ers-turner-czar-sc-tallboy-pivot-mach-429-a-861649.html

No Camber-love? I really didn’t rate my 26er one but everyone seems to love the 29er, especially the Evo.

superlight 29er

Looking at the green Tallboy that is standing in the kitchen I’m impressed.

Another vote for the Pyga OneTen-29. Depends where you live but there are a few demo shops now.

FLYGA.. by Alex Leigh, on Flickr

I run my forks at 130mm. Not tried anything else on your list but have ridden 1500km on this all over the UK and a trip to Spain and find it really fun to ride.

I’d recommend a Rockstar cos I’ve got one and it’s ace..


And cheap..

Northwind – Member 
No Camber-love? I really didn’t rate my 26er one but everyone seems to love the 29er, especially the Evo.

I thought the same.

Although since getting my 29er HT, I’ve been tweaking (EVOing) and playing with my Camber (26er) and am starting to enjoy it again too.

I was very tempted by the devinci atlas, but an intense spider comp came up and is a bit slacker and I knew the sizing fitted me on that… Just one ride so far, but soo capable…

Goes from 114 mm to 127mm rear travel so probably enough for most UK xc and trail riding with the added 29er effect. Plus it may just be enough for the odd enduro or uplift day if your that way inclined.

It’s a bit more lively/speedy/racy than the carbine especially if you build it that way (24.5lb is possible). There’s the option to run 120mm forks but also still the option to put a 150 pike on it too for rowdy days!. So very versatile.

So in summary and TRUE stw fashion i recommend my bike 😉

Oh kona process 111 also gets good write ups but no frame only option yet…. You could sell the bits but still pricey way to get the frame and no doubt a carbon version is round the corner!.

Suppose the Whyte T129 is another well liked option and great value but again parts sell off would be required!

Transition bandit 29. I was in the same dilemma as you, considered a Tallboy, but £2000 with the kashima shock 😯 so I went for the bandit, £1400 with kashima shock. 120mm travel, will take a 140mm fork, I’m currently running at 130mm and it rides great. Feels like loads more travel than 120mm, sharp handling, good fun, and less common.
[/url] Bandit29 by bigfoot_on_bikes, on Flickr[/img]

flange – Member

Pivot 429 Carbon is an awesome bike, i thought it rode better than the Tallboy and I don’t like the look for the Ripley. X01 on the 429 Carbon and some decent wheels and you have an amazing bike that is so versatile there isn’t much you can’t do with it.

Three posts, all of them about how great a pivot 429 is…on ancient threads.. You on a back hander?

No Flange, i just love my bike so i thought I’d share my thoughts. I didn’t realise they were ancient threads, this one seems quite recent